International canoe slalom events to be broadcast live

British Canoeing has today announced that BBC Sport will be the UK host broadcaster for the 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 1 and 2020 ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships.

BBC Sport will broadcast both events at Lee Valley White Water Centre, the London 2012 Games legacy venue, where Team GB won two Olympic medals in canoe slalom.

The 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup is a series of five events, with the first one taking place at Lee Valley from 14-16 June. The World Cup will see Britain’s finest slalom athletes take on world’s best paddlers as part of their preparations and selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The 2020 ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships will take place on 15-17 May, just over two months before the start of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

David Joy, Chief Executive at British Canoeing said:

“I am delighted that BBC Sport will be broadcasting the 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup and 2020 ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships at the iconic Lee Valley White Water Centre.”

“Bringing international canoeing events to the UK is one of our key strategic ambitions. With the support of BBC Sport we look forward to increasing the profile of canoe slalom and showcasing our athletes to a wider audience.”

David Joy, Chief Executive at British Canoeing

For the 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 1 BBC Sport will air a 90 minute highlights programme on BBC Two, alongside live content from the three day event on the BBC Sport digital channels and Red Button service.*

The current squad, which won four medals at the European Championships last weekend, includes Rio 2016 Olympic Champion Joe Clarke, three time Olympic medallist David Florence and 2017 World Champion Mallory Franklin.

Since becoming an Olympic sport in 1972 Great Britain has won nine medals in canoe slalom. At the 2018 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships the British team topped the medal table by claiming two gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

The slalom programme for the Tokyo 2020 Games will consist of individual kayak (K1) and canoe (C1) races for both men and women.

Over 4,000 tickets have been sold in advance for the 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup London presented by Jaffa, with tickets for Saturday 15 June and Sunday 16 June currently on general sale.

For further information visit the British Canoeing international events website.

*All broadcast details are subject to change